Floribunda rose plant named ‘GRApstg’

ABSTRACT

‘GRApstg’ is a new and distinct floribunda type Rosa hybrid plant which is characterized by the combination of an upright growth habit, good resistance to Diplocarpon rosae and Podosphaera pannosa, nearly continuous flowering, flowers exhibit distinct pink with cream stripes and flecks and petal reverse pink with cream stripes and flecks, a very strong rose fragrance, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation. The new cultivar is generally suited to landscape applications.

Latin name of genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and speciesof the novel variety disclosed herein is Rosa hybrid.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Rosa hybrid disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘GRApstg’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘GRApstg’ is a seedling selection which resulted from thecontrolled cross-pollination of Rosa hybrid ‘Grace’ (not patented) andan unnamed Rosa hybrid male breeding line (not patented). Both parents,developed by the same inventor and never commercially released,exhibited traits deemed commercially significant and desirable.

After many years of trialing, the female parent was confirmed to possessa combination of desirable traits such as very strong fragrance, veryhigh resistance to powdery mildew, and having flowers that are pink withcream stripes and flecks borne on a bushy plant growing to 1.2 meterstall and 1 meter wide. The male parent was selected for use in breedingafter trialing confirmed the presence of a modern flower color. Duringthe spring of 2015, the female parent was emasculated and was manuallypollinated with pollen from the male parent. In autumn of 2016, seed wascollected from hips produced by the female parent and a number ofseedlings were grown to a mature size, including the claimed plant.These progeny were further evaluated for desirable traits such asfragrance, mildew disease resistance and original flower color, and inJanuary of 2016 the claimed plant was first observed. In January of2017, after further evaluation for desirable traits, the claimed plantwas deemed to be garden-worthy and suited to widespread cultivation. Itwas given the denomination, ‘GRApstg’.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual propagation of ‘GRApstg’, by way ofsoftwood stem cuttings, was first performed in May of 2016 at theinventor's nursery in Highfields, Australia. Through more than twelvesubsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have provento be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed andrepresent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Rosa cultivar‘GRApstg’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘GRApstg’ as a newand distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Rosa hybrid ‘GRApstg’ exhibits an upright growth habit; and    -   2. Rosa hybrid ‘GRApstg’ exhibits high resistance to the plant        pathogen, Podosphaera pannosa, commonly referred to as rose        powdery mildew disease; and    -   3. Rosa hybrid ‘GRApstg’ exhibits repeat flowering; and    -   4. Rosa hybrid ‘GRApstg’ exhibits a double flower type; and    -   5. Rosa hybrid ‘GRApstg’ exhibits flowers that are pink with        cream stripes and flecks; and    -   6. Rosa hybrid ‘GRApstg’ exhibits flowers with a very strong        rose fragrance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary 12 month old‘GRApstg’ plant grown outdoors at the inventor's commercial nursery inHighfields, Australia.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the typical flower of‘GRApstg’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations and measurements, made in February of 2019,describe averages of two own-root specimens of one year old ‘GRApstg’plants. The plants were grown outdoors in a garden bed of a redkrasnozem soil in full sunlight, at the inventor's nursery inHighfields, Australia. No shade or supplemental light was provided.Temperatures ranged from approximately 17 to 35 degrees Celsius duringthe day and 7 to 18 degrees Celsius at night. Standard practices forirrigation, fertilizer and pest control were applied at appropriatetimes during the growing season. The plants were pruned three timesduring the growing season using accepted techniques for rose pruning.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘GRApstg’ hasnot been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2007 Fifth Edition except where commonterms of color are used.

A botanical description of ‘GRApstg’ and comparisons with the parentsand the most similar commercial cultivar of Rosa hybrid are providedbelow.

-   General plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—Upright.        -   Growth rate.—Approximately 6 months to reach 60 cm.        -   Dimensions.—100 cm tall and 60 cm wide.        -   Environmental tolerance.—Very good heat tolerance; cold            hardiness is unknown.        -   Disease resistance.—Excellent resistance to powdery mildew            (Sphaerotheca pannosa) and good resistance to blackspot            (Diplocarpon Rosae).        -   Pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor susceptibility to            typical Rosa sp. pests has been observed.        -   Propagation.—Technique — Softwood stem cuttings. Time to            initiate roots — About 13 days at approximately 21 degrees            Celsius at root zone and 18 degrees Celsius ambient            temperature. Time to produce a rooted cutting — About 25            days at approximately 21 degrees Celsius at root zone and 18            degrees Celsius ambient temperature.-   Root system: White fibrous roots with many root hairs extending from    lesser roots in a featherlike arrangement.-   Branches:    -   -   Branching habit.—Irregular branching from mature branches,            breaking first from the uppermost buds near the apex of each            shoot.        -   Quantity.—Numerous.        -   General dimensions.—Approximately 60 cm long; 1.5 cm in            diameter near the base and tapering to 0.5 cm.        -   Immature branches.—Length — 25 cm. Diameter — Approximately            0.5 cm. Texture and pubescence — Glabrous, with prickles.            Color — Nearest to RHS 135D. Prickles — Density — Sparse to            moderate; 3 prickles per 2.5 cm of branch. Color — Nearest            to RHS 151D. Shape — Convex. Texture — Smooth.        -   Mature branches.—Length — 40 cm. Diameter — Approximately            1.5 cm, after one year. Texture and pubescence — Glabrous,            with prickles. Color — Nearest to RHS 144B. Prickles —            Density — Sparse to moderate; 3 prickles per 2.5 cm of            branch. Color — Nearest to RHS N172D. Shape — Convex.            Texture — Smooth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate imparipinnate compound leaves.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 5 per mature branch.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Leaf internode length.—4 cm.        -   Dimensions.—Approximately 12 cm long and 70 cm wide.        -   Petiole.—Dimensions — 2.5 cm long and 0.1 to 0.2 cm wide.            Color — Near RHS 145A and margined RHS 143B. Texture and            pubescence — Smooth, glabrous. Prickles — Present. Stipitate            glands — Not present.        -   Stipule.—Shape — Linear to lanceolate. Dimensions — 1.5 cm            long and 0.5 cm wide. Color — Nearest to RHS 141C. Texture            and pubescence — Smooth, glabrous. Margins — Ciliate. Apex —            Apiculate. Base — Winged. Prickles — Not present. Stipitate            glands — Not present.        -   Rachis.—Dimensions — 2.0 cm long and 0.1 cm wide. Color —            Near RHS 144C. Prickles — Present. Stipitate glands — Not            present.        -   Leaflets.—Quantity — Seven leaflets on axillary leaves.            Dimensions — Average size of the terminal leaflet is 4 cm            long and 2 cm wide. Shape — Ovate. Apex — Acuminate. Base —            Ovate. Margins — Serrated. Texture, pubescence and luster,            adaxial surface — Bullate, glabrous, and matte. Texture,            pubescence and luster, abaxial surface — Bullate, glabrous,            and matte. Juvenile foliage color, adaxial surface — Nearest            to RHS N144C, with no anthocyanin intonations. Juvenile            foliage color, abaxial surface — Nearest to RHS 144D, with            anthocyanin intonations, nearest to RHS 71A. Mature foliage            color, adaxial surface — Nearest to RHS 141B. Mature foliage            color, abaxial surface — Nearest to RHS 141D. Venation —            Pinnate. Venation color, adaxial surface — Nearest to RHS            141A, with midrib RHS 144B. Venation color, abaxial surface            — Nearest to RHS 142B, with midrib RHS 142C.        -   Petiolule.—Dimensions — 0.4 cm long and 0.1 cm wide. Color —            Near RHS N142B, with no anthocyanin intonations present.            Prickles — Not present. Texture — Smooth.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Flowers are single or clustered.        -   Blooming habit.—Almost continuous from October through June            in the southern hemisphere.        -   Time to flower.—6 to 8 weeks for a new stem to mature and            flowering begins to occur once a stem matures.        -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — 45 cm long and 0.3 cm in diameter.            Color — Nearest to RHS 144C. Strength — Strong. Texture and            pubescence — Smooth, glabrous. Prickles — Not present.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Size.—2.0 cm long and 2.0 cm in diameter.        -   Color.—Nearest to RHS 142B.-   Flower:    -   -   Pedicels.—Dimensions — 3.5 cm lnog and 0.1 cm in diameter.            Color — Nearest to RHS 135D. Strength — Moderately strong.            Texture and pubescence — Smooth and glabrous. Prickles —            None present.        -   Calyx.—General — Comprised of five polysepalous sepals.            Diameter of calyx — 1.0 cm.        -   Sepals.—Shape — Lanceoalate; occasionally with leafy            appendages. Color, interior surface — RHS 142D. Color,            exterior surface — RHS 141D. Dimensions — 2.0 cm long and            1.0 cm wide. Apex — Apiculate. Base — Flat at union with            receptacle. Quantity — Five. Pubescence — Densely            puberulent. Margins — Entire. Stipitate glands — None            present.        -   Corolla.—General shape of corolla — Cupped and            irregularly-rounded with a tight outer whorl. Rate of            opening — 6 days from bud to anthesis. Dimensions —            Approximately 8 cm in diameter and 5 cm deep. Fragrance —            strong rose scent. Lastingness — On the plant for 5 days            after anthesis. Persistence — Self-cleaning. Petals — Petal            count — Exhibits double flowers with approximately 70 petals            under normal conditions. Petal arrangement — Irregularly            rounded whorl at anthesis and aging to a loose whorl.            Dimensions — 4.5 cm long and 3.5 cm wide. Petal shape —            Obovate. Apex — Rounded. Base — Flattened, then obtuse.            Petal reflex — Slightly reflexed at apex. Petal margin —            Entire; slightly undulating. Texture — Soft. Aspect —            Formal. Petal color, upon opening — Upper surface — Nearest            to RHS 55A, with base nearest to RHS 9A, and striped and            flecked nearest to RHS 9D. Lower surface — Nearest to RHS            38C, with base nearest to RHS 9A. Petal color, at anthesis —            Upper surface — Nearest to RHS 38D, with base near RHS 9A.            Lower surface — Nearest to RHS 37D, with margin nearest to            RHS 49D. Fading — Nearest to RHS 13D.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — Approximately 50. Anthers — Shape —            Narrow ovate. Length — 1.0 cm. Color — Nearest to RHS 12A.            Pollen — Many. Pollen Color — Nearest to RHS 3A.        -   Filaments.—Color — Nearest to RHS 17C. Length —            Approximately 0.8 cm.        -   Pistils.—Quantity — Approximately 50. Length — Approximately            1.0 cm. Stigma — Position — Held level at one-quarter the            length of the filament and anther. Shape — Ovate. Color —            Near RHS 11B. Style — Length — Approximately 0.8 cm long.            Color — Nearest to RHS 18C.        -   Ovary.—Dimensions — 0.5 cm long and 0.3 cm wide. Color —            Nearest to RHS 3D.        -   Receptacle.—Shape — Pitcher-shaped. Dimensions — 0.5 cm high            and 0.5 cm wide. Color — Nearest to RHS 141D.-   Hip and seed:    -   -   Hip.—Shape — Rounded. Dimensions — 1.0 cm long and 1.0 cm            wide. Texture — Smooth. Color — Nearest to RHS 149C.        -   Seed.—Shape — Rounded. Dimensions — 1.0 cm long and 1.0 cm            wide. Color — Nearest to RHS 144D.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENTS

The new rose plant ‘GRApstg’ may be distinguished from its seed parent,Rosa hybrid ‘Grace’, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. The flowers of ‘GRApstg’ exhibit a distinct pink with cream        stripes and flecks and petal reverse pink with cream stripes and        flecks, whereas the flowers of the seed parent exhibit a pink        general coloration.    -   2. ‘GRApstg’ exhibits an upright growth habit, whereas the seed        parent exhibits an upright to semi weeping growth habit.

The new rose plant ‘GRApstg’ may be distinguished from its pollenparent, an unnamed breeding line, by the following combination ofcharacteristics:

-   -   1. The flowers of ‘GRApstg’ exhibit a distinct pink with cream        stripes and flecks and petal reverse pink with cream stripes and        flecks, whereas the flowers of the pollen parent exhibit a        yellow color with pink stripes and flecks general coloration.    -   2. ‘GRApstg’ exhibits a very high powdery mildew resistance,        whereas the pollen parent is susceptible.

COMPARISONS WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VARIETY OF COMMON KNOWLEDGE

Plants of the new cultivar ‘GRApstg’ may be distinguished from thecommercial variety Rosa hybrid ‘MACoranlem’ (not patented) by thefollowing combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. The flowers of ‘GRApstg’ exhibit a distinct cream stripes and        flecks and petal reverse pink with cream stripes and flecks,        whereas the flowers of ‘MACoranlem’ are orange striped with        lemon yellow.    -   2. Leaves of ‘GRApstg’ are bullate, glabrous, and matte        mid-green whereas leaves of ‘MACoranlem’ are glossy dark green.    -   3. ‘GRApstg’ has flowers with very strong fragrance whereas        ‘MACoranlem’ flowers have mild fragrance.

That which is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Rosa hybridplant named ‘GRApstg’, as described and illustrated herein.